What’s Holding You Back?

So often, when I tell people I’m a writer, they’ll look at me, sigh and tell me how they want to write . . . if only.

By now I’ve heard just about every excuse in the book—and truth be told—used a lot of them myself.

The truth of the matter is that everybody has an excuse NOT to follow their dream. We’re all busy. We’re all dealing with crazy family issues of one type or another. None of us have enough money to make it easy to do it. The list goes on and on.

But really, the important point is why you SHOULD follow your dream. Life’s too short and too precious to waste time doing things we’re NOT passionate about. Okay, very few have the luxury of ONLY doing what they’re passionate about, but even that is just another excuse.
So I ask you, what’s holding you back from following your dream? Is it time, money, fear? Well the end of the year is just around the corner. So I want to challenge you to put your if only aside and take a chance on your dream.

Here are some practical steps you can take to get started. You’re already partway there—you’re reading this blog!
Join a writers group—it can be online, or one that meets nearby. Don’t know where to find one? Check with your local bookstores and libraries.

Set some goals—TO WRITE. You can’t be a writer if you don’t sit down and write. The goals can be small, maybe a few hundred words a week. Or set a time goal, spend so many minutes a day writing.

Make a schedule—I can hear the groaning now and I’m right with you. I HATE schedules—they seem almost anti-creative. But a schedule helped me publish 700+ articles last year. It doesn’t have to be a minute by minute schedule, just one that lets you know when to work on what.

Enlist a friend—preferably one who writes. But anyone will work. When I start a new endeavor I’ve found I keep my goals when I build in accountability.

Now it’s your turn—take a chance and put your dream in writing. Make a commitment and share what you want to accomplish in 2013.